GMHL teams gear up for tournament in Michigan

When IU and five other teams formed the Great Midwest Hockey League two years ago, many expected a high level of competition. The GMHL tournament, which takes place this weekend, will showcase just how competitive the league has become.\nThe GMHL will send four of its six members to the American Collegiate Hockey League national tournament this season, but before the teams depart for Anaheim, Calif. they will meet in Rochester, Mich. to compete for the GMHL tournament title.\nOakland University (20-6-4, 7-2-1) surprised the GMHL this season with their first place finish and .667 winning percentage. Last year, the Grizzlies finished fifth in the GMHL with a 2-6-2 conference record and an overall winning percentage of .484. Oakland was invited to the ACHA national tournament as the No. 3 team from the Central region. \nWith the regular season title under their belt and an invite to California already extended, Oakland General Manager Tom Ricketts said the Grizzlies have nothing left to prove this weekend.\n"We're just going to try to have fun," Ricketts said. "We would love to win, especially since it's in our own barn, in front of our own fans; but our goal all year has been the national championship, so we won't be too disappointed if we lose this one."\nIU (15-8-1, 5-4-1) is taking a different approach to the GMHL tournament. The Hoosiers finished in third place after splitting last weekend's games against Michigan State and Oakland. IU coach Rich Holdeman said the Hoosiers will show up to play when they travel to Oakland's campus this weekend.\n"There is a lot to play for," Holdeman said "We found over the years that it's almost as competitive to win this (GMHL) tournament as it is to win nationals, and I think most of the other teams look at it that way too."\nOne of the biggest obstacles IU will face is the number of games it will play. The Hoosiers' first matchup against Ferris State University begins at 8:15 p.m. Friday. The winner of that game will play Michigan at 8:45 a.m. Saturday. The winners of the semifinals will meet later that night at 8:15 p.m. Holdeman said the tournament will help prepare IU for the national tournament, when they could face multiple games on the same day again.\n"You just can't win unless you have some depth to work with," Holdeman said "This is one of the reasons we've tried to develop a deep roster during the season."\nOver the past few years, the GMHL has been well-represented at the ACHA national Division II tournament. In 2001, all six teams were invited. Last season, five of the six went to New York to compete for the national title, and three of them, IU, Michigan and Miami, made it to the final four. IU and Oakland will meet again after the GMHL tournament, regardless of the outcome, in the first round of the ACHA.\nIU will return next weekend for a two-game home series against D-II Robert Morris and travel to California for the ACHA tournament the following weekend.